SmartDebit responds to UK e-commerce survey

Retail consulting firm Martec conducted a survey of 150 leading retailers in the UK, revealing that online shopping is expected to account for 40% of sales in the future. E-commerce investment came first over store systems, supply chain, systems integration and CRM systems respectively.

The study showed 23% of the 150 retailers do not have an e-commerce platform on their website. However, those that do saw online sales account for 7.3% of total sales, representing an increase from 6.3% the previous year.

Retailers were asked where they estimated their online sales would peak; department stores and mass merchandisers thought it would be around 30-40% of total sales. Smaller stores predicted between 20-30%, whilst food, drug, and large format speciality retailers stated between 10-20%.

SmartDebit offer their clients the facility to accept Direct Debit payments from their customers through their own website. A spokesperson from the payments processor commented on the study:

“It is almost certain that the 23% of retailers highlighted in this study who currently do not operate a transactional website will invest in one this year. The estimates of online sales as a contribution overall are too great to not add it their multichannel retailing operations. Consumers today are comfortable paying for products and services on the internet and often expect to do so, businesses cannot rely solely on traditional retail models anymore.”